Launceston will today host a face-to-face meeting on thedevelopment of a new ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Agreement on Closing the Gap. The meeting is an opportunity for Aboriginaland Torres Strait Islander people to tell the Coalition of Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander community controlled peak organisations (Coalition ofPeaks) and the Tasmanian government what changes are needed to improve theirlives.
The Coalition of Peaks Lead Convener, PatTurner said we must ensure that Aboriginal people in Tasmania have their voicestruly heard and understood as the Coalition of Peaks work with AustralianGovernments to develop a new ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Agreement on Closing the Gap. The³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Agreement will set out how governments and the Coalition of Peaks willwork together over the next ten years to support better outcomes for Aboriginaland Torres Strait Islander people.
“It is important that the new ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾Agreement on Closing the Gap reflect the expertise of Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander people. We must be at the centre of decision-making because we knowwhat works best for our communities,” Turner said.
“This time the Coalition of Peaks has theopportunity to represent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at thenegotiating table with governments, so we want to ensure that we engagecommunities around Australia in the process.
“The Coalition of Peaks will be leadingface-to-face meetings in every state and territory and we’re looking forward tohearing what Aboriginal people here in Launceston today have to say.
The face-to-face discussions are part of acomprehensive set of community engagements, which also include Peakconsultations with its own membership and an , open until October 25.
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